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Wednesday, May 29

New €100 and €200 banknotes are now in circulation

New €100 and €200 banknotes are officially in circulation as of today, Tuesday 28 May 2019. The European Central Bank confirmed the introduction, highlighting the "new and innovative" security features associated with the banknotes. The notes will adopt a "feel, look and tilt" method and a satellite hologram with an enhanced emerald number to make the banknotes more resistant to counterfeiting. At the top of the silvery stripe, a satellite hologram shows small € symbols that move around the number when the banknote is tilted and become clearer under direct light. The silvery stripe also shows a portrait of Europa, the architectural motif and a large € symbol. The new €100 and €200 banknotes also feature an enhanced emerald number. The new €100 and €200 notes are now the same height as the €50 banknote, which makes them easier to handle and process by machines. They will also fit better in people’s wallets and last longer, as they will be subject to less wear and tear. According to the European Central Bank, the €100 is the third most widely used euro banknote, after the €50 and the €20.

"The demand for €100 and €200 banknotes is increasing, at an annual rate of 7.6% for the €100 and 8.6% for the €200," notes the ECB."The €100 and €200 banknotes of the first series, like all the other denominations, will remain legal tender."They will continue to circulate alongside the new notes and will be gradually withdrawn from circulation."